Dumping vehicle and door operating means therefor



Feb. 6, 1940. E. l.. TRANAAs ET AL DUMPING VEHICLE AND DOOR OPERATING MEANS THEREFOR Fild Jari. 14, 1957 7 sheets-sheet 1 GENE L- @M0/V.

Feb 6, 1940- E. l.. TRANAA-s ET Al. 2,189,185

DUMPING VEHICLE AND DOOR OPERATING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Jan. "14, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 POS.

v Pos. f DUMP/Mg l l l/ y Feb. 6, 1940. E L, TRANAAS ET AL 2,189,186

DUMPING VEHICLE AND DOOR OPERATING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Jan. 14, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 A HG- E- fui- 3mm fM/L RH/wms- Gf/vfLOMO/v.

Feb. 6, 1940.

E. L.. TRANAAS ET A1.

DUMPING VEHICLE AND DOOR OPERATING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Jan.` 14, 1957 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Egg-.17; B.

Tm-m w., W

Feb. 6, 1940. E TRANAAS ET AL 2,189,186

DUMPING VEHICLE ANDDOOR OPERATING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Jan. 14, 1957 7 sheets-sheet 5 EMM A TRN/MHS Feb. 6, 1940. E. L. TRANAAs ET AL DUMPING VEHICLE AND DOOR OPERATING MEANS THEREFOR '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 14. 1937 Feb. 6, 1940. E. l.. TRANAAs ET AL DUMPING VEHICLE @ND DOOR OPERATING MEANS THEREFOR 7 Sheets-Sheet T Filed Jan. 14, 1957 Shannara Patented'Feb. 6, 1940 l UNITED. STATES The present invention appertains todumping vehicles, primarily of the type equipped with bottom dump doors and involving the use of manually controlled instrumentalities for tripping suitable mechanism to cause theopening of the doors as when discharging and dumping, and for throwing into action automatic operating devicesto effect the closing of said doors.

The invention involves novelmeans for accomplishing the above mentioned operations, and in addition thereto the invention comprises improved mechanism for the automatic discontinuance, and latching out of operation, of the instrumentalities employed for effecting the closing movement of the doors, after the vehicle with which they are equipped has been dumped or discharged of` its load.

The door closing mechanism forming a-part of the invention involves novel recipro'cable means as a part'of the actuating mechanism that; effects the closing of the doors automatically when such mechanism is initiated in its operation under manual control, and said reciprocable means are adapted, according to thenovel construction of the invention, to be rendered inoperative when the doors reach their closedv positions or when they are arrested in their movement near their closed positions by resistance of an obstacle caught between the adjacent edges of the doors as they come together in closing.

In respect to the automatic door closing means forming a part of this invention, it is notable that the same comprises novel pawl and ratchetV mechanism adapted to be driven from a moving part of the vehicle such as a 1wheel, together with actuating parts for said pawl and ratchet mechanism including the reciprocally movable means before mentioned, which consists of a special type of resilient connector adapted to automatically `expand and contract in its operation in order to perform, certain functions in relation to those actuating devices that are directly operated from the moving part of the vehicle and in relation to certain parts of the pawl and ratchet mechanism.

The invention involves furthermore other details of construction of the various instrumentalities included in the foregoing resume, and an understanding of which will be more readily had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which- Figure l is a side View of a trailer type dumping vehicle, or wagon as the same is sometimes called, embodying the invention.

` Figure 2 is a side view of the manual control lever and associated parts by which the dumping PATENT OFFICE 1 y .DUMPING VEHICLE- AND DOOR OPERATING MEANS THEREFOR i Emil L. Tranaas and Gene L. OmonjMilwaukee,

Wis., assignors to Koehring Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application January 14, 1937, Serial No. 120,588

47 Claims. (Cl. 298-35) doors of the vehicle are released and by which the operation of the'automatic door `closing mechanism is initiated, the said means being disposed in its normal or neutral position.

Figure 2A is a view ofthe vsame means as shownif control lever in full lines cooperating with ythe associatedparts for effecting a pull upon the lower` operating cable whereby to initiate the operation of the automatic-door closing mechanism.

wheel on the Idrum to hold the doors in the said..

normal closed position. Figure 5 is a View similarto' Figure, but illustrating the drum looking pawl as lwhen disengaged from `the ratchetwheel, of the drum in order to `permit dropping or opening movement of the` doors.

Figure 6 is a partial transverse sectional view illustrating the driving cam carried by one of the rear supporting wheels of the dump body of the shown in Figures 2 and 2A, but illustrating thef"l-l0 Figure 4 is a view of the cable windingdrumf'l vehicle, and the manner in which the said cam i cooperates with the actuating rocker arm carried by a rocker shaft'that cooperates with the reciprocating device which effects the winding of the cables for closing the dump body doors.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary elevation of the construction shown in Figure 6, illustrating more clearly the form of the actuating cam for the door wind mechanism. l v

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side View illustrating the starting lever of the wind mechanism for closing the doors in an intermediate position during its movement for initiating `winding operation when the control lever assembly is moved from dumping position toward closing position in Figure 3.

Figure 9 shows the position of the starting lever assembly after the manual control lever has been moved to assume the position shown in full lines in Figure 3 to effect commencement of operation of the automatic door closing mechanism.

Figure 10 is a rear viewkof the reciprocatory unit comprising a contracting and expanding connector assembly employed for connecting the wheel actuator rocker arm with the wind or door closing ratchet mechanism, the connector being shown in partially expanded position.

Figure 11 is a side view of the wheel operated rocker arm connector and wind mechanism by which the automatic closing of the doors is performed, the parts being shown in operative positions. y

Figure 12 is a somewhat diagrammatic view illustrating the wind or door closing drum and the method of training the cables leading therefrom to the doors, by which cables the doors are permitted to open and afterwards pulled to their closed positions.

Figure 13 is a side view. of a fragmentary nature, showing the latch devices in the normal or working position thereof at the time the door closing mechanism is in operation to move the doors to closed position. 7

Figure 14A is a view similar to Figure 13, but illustrating the adjustment of the parts as when the latch is allowed to be moved into place1 above the reciprocatingfunit vror resilient connector assembly forthe wind operating` mechanism, upon expansion of the latter. 4

- Figure 14B is a view showing the parts of Figure 14A as when the latch lever forces the equalizery lever upwardfso as to adjust the associated parts to the positions illustrated in Figure 22 and assumed thereby before the latch is moved to its `latch-out position.

Figure l is a view showing the rotative collar and actuating arms therefor in their positions assumed before the latch action of the mechanism shifts the same, as also illustrated in, Figure 14A.

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 1,5. but showing the said collar'afte'r it has been shifted upon completion of the latch-out action of the mechanism.

Figure 17A is a view of the working or wind pawl and associated bell crank part engaged with the'ratchet wheel ofthe drum. t

Figure 17B is a view similar to 17A but showing the said working or wind pawl disengaged, with associated parts in'proper positio-n at such time.

Figure 18 is a side view of the working pawl.

Figure 19 is a side view of the bell crank associated with the working pawl.

Figure 20 is a rear view of the winding drum and the automatic wind mechanism with the casing illustrated in Figure 21 removed, certain actuating parts, including the reciprocating actuating unit. being also illustrated.

Figure 21 is a sectional view through the casing which encloses the parts of Figure 20 and illustrating the general arrangement of the automatic operating mechanism for closing the doors, otherwise termed herein a winding' mechanism.

Figure 22 is a view similar to Figure 11, the parts of the mechanism illustrated being shown in inoperative or neutral positions, when the control lever assembly is in the position of Figures .2 and' 2A.

equipped with bottom dump doors I of any suitable type. Upon the front hitch member E of the dumping vehicle A is carried the main manual control means for controlling the dumping rand closing action of the doors l aforesaid, said means comprising the lever 2 and certain other partsshortly to be described.

It is immaterial to the invention whether the same is applied to a trailer type dumping vehicle A, or to a four-wheel type vehicle as compared with the vehicle A, which may be characterized as a semi-trailer because it only avails of tworear lwheels in its construction.v Reference is made to Figure 12 to give a general'idea of the door arrangement. Here it will be seen that the doors I have outer pivotal edge portions ksupported by anysuitable pivot means inconsequential to the invention, the inner edge portions of the doors adapted to abut ordinarily when they are closed. In order to close these doors I and permit them -to open, a cable 3 has one end thereof adapted to wind around the drum 4', and from thence leads around a pulley 5 to pulleys and I adjacent the free edge portions of one of the doors I. Thence the cable 3 passes upwardly around a guideY pulley o1' sheavef, thence downwardly over pulleys 9 and Ill similarly arranged as are the pulleys 6 and l, but carried by the other door I, and'from the pulley I0 the cable 3 leads over the guide pulley II on the same bracket support I2 that carries the pulley 5. From the pulley I I the cable 3 leads back to the drum 4 and is wound about the latter in the same direction as the first mentioned end of the cable.

It'will be understood that by turning the drum 5' Il in' 'one direction the end portions of the cables 3 Will wind about the drum in one direction and will exert a' pull upon the doors l when they are in open position to move these doors to a closed position. It will also be clear that when the drum 4 is released the pull or tension on the cables will -be relieved 'and the weight of the doors I alone, or

the said doors and any load of dirt and other material in the dump body A, will cause the doors I to lower instantly to open positions.

Now the mechanism of the present invention deals largely with the means employed to release the drum 4 in order to open the doors I, and to initiate operation of automatic devices that will cause a closing movement of said doors. above purpose certain ratchet mechanism is resorted to, the same including a ratchet pawl herein called the locking ratchet pawl I3, see Figure 4, adapted to be latched out of engagement with a ratchet wheel I4 fixed to the drum 4- whereby to release the drum for a turning movement that permits the paying out of the cable 3 and dumping movement of the doors. Other ratchet mechanism, see Figures 17A and 17B, including a wind ratchet pawl l5 coacting with the ratchet wheel I4, is employed to cause a winding of the cable means upon the drum li, to raise the doors I to their closed positions. The actuating means for the locking pawl I3 is manual and comprises the lever 2 previously referred to,

which is connected by a chain or cable IB that leads directly from the point of attachment 2a over suitable guide means such as pulleys or the like, to supporting lever I'I upon which the pawl I3 is mounted.

On the other hand, the manual control lever 2 is connected by means to be later described, in-

cluding another chain or cable I8 which leads over suitable guide means to a starting lever assembly including the lever I9. which starting For the vlever assembly, in 'conjunction with other feaitedby engagement-of the said leverwith'a stop ytures of construction, isfadaptedV to vinitiatethe 'operation of the automatic devices by which'the kwind or yworking 'pawl I5 is caused to cooperate Withthe ratchet wheel I4 for causing Winding of theca'ble means 3 upon the vdrum vil and `closing lof the doors of the vehicle.

Before goinginto detail in describing theopering of the doors Ilandfa return movement of said lever will initiate the closing operationof said doors by the automatic closing mechanism.

Drive means for vthe automatic door closing mechanism Reference is made to' Figures 6 and '1. "one of the rear wheels Dsupporting the body of the dumping vehicle A is equipped with a double ended cam 29, see Figure '7, `which 'turns with the q wheel and is adapted to `engage a rocker arm 2| on rock shaft 22. The rock shaft 22 in turn is Y equipped with an actuating arm 23 at the end opposite that which carries the arm 2 I. The arm 2| has a roller 24 that traverses the periphery of the cam 29. Obviously,fas the wheel D rotates during the travel movement of lthe vehicleA,

' the cam 2|) is rotated, and so long as the rocker Manual control Zever and associated operating parts Reference is now made to Figures 2, 2A and 3 particularly. InFigure 2vthe control lever-as' sembly is disposed in what is termed its neutral or normal position' as when the doors of the vehicle A are closed and the wind mechanism is latched-out, so to speak, or rendered inoperative., The wagon or vehicle is now ready to be `loaded since the doors I are closed and maintained closed by the `ratchet It through the engagement of the locking pawl I3.

Bearing in mind that the chain I6 Aconnects the lever 2 directly lwith the supporting llever E'I which carries the ratchet locking pawl I3, a-forward pull of the lever will lift the pawl I3 from the ratchet teeth of the wheel Ill, thereby releasing the drum 4 .and permitting the cables 3 to unwind therefrom.` to substantially instantlyy permit the opening ofthe doors I and depositing ofthe load in the'vehicle A upon the groundfor other surface where it is to be delivered. "The lever I'I is pivotally supported at 25 and the pawl I3 is pivotedk, at 25 between its ends to said lever a spring 21 normally acting' uponjthe `tail or outer end of the pawl I3 to tend to hold it in engagement with the ratchet wheel I4. The lever in conjunction with thepawl I3 comprises virtually a toggle assembly. The upward movement of the lever II under the actuation of the control lever 2 causes the pawl I3 to tilt or rock until its nose escapes from the teeth of the wheel I4 in amanner shown clearly in Figures 4iand-5. The forward movement ofthe lever 2 in the wagon dumping operationis limlug 28, see Figures 2, y2A and3.

Onthe lever 2 is carried a pivoteddogvZS, which, when lthe lever 2 reaches its forward limit ormovement 'as shown in `Figure 2A, engages in front of a tooth yadjacent to the hub portion of a tripV lever 3|, the said engaging action ofv the dog being enforced'by afcoiled spring 32 connected with an arm 29a oistanding from'the l axis portion of the dog 29 which is pivote'd at 33.

vvIt will be evident from the foregoing that when the dog 29 is lengaged'in front of the tooth Iof the lug 30 of lever 3|, the control lever 2 is locked to the lever 3|, so that upon subsequent rearward movement of the lever 2 `from the position in which it is shown inFigure 2A, to carry the sametothe position of the full lines in Figure 3,

the pull lever 3| will be actuated by rocking the same forwardly. The trip lever 3| is connected with the chain or cable I8 previously referred to.

The action of movement of the control lever`2 `rearwardly as just` referred to is that required for effecting aclosing movement lof the doors which were opened by the previous mentioned forwardimovement of the lever 2.

mechanism which causes the winding of `the cable means 3 back on the drum 4 from which said cable means hasunwound in order lto per- .mit the previous opening of the doors Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, the parts of the trip and control lever assembly are in` the positions assumed thereby after having initiated the operation of the automatic acting cable wind mechanism.` In this figure the lever 2 has been pushed backwardly from itsdumping 4in fulllines, the arm 29a of the dog 29 that locks the lever 2 andthe lever 3| together, strikes a stop lug` 34, this action being depicted in Figure 3 as just taking place, and the further backward movement of the lever 2 from its full line posi- `tion in Figure 3 to its rearmost dotted line position causes the dog 29 to be raised out of engage-` ment from the tooth 39. As soon as this happens,

`the spring which is connected with the `lower end of the trip lever 3| returns the said trip lever to' its position shown in Figures 2 and 2A, wherein said lever 3| abuts with a stop' lug 3S. At this time the parts of the control and trip lever assemblyassume the'positions in which they In accomplishing the closing `"movement of the doors I, lthetrip lever 3| and `its chain or cable |8`are adapted to initiate the operation of automatic are illustrated in Figure 2 and termed the neutral position. However, the said rearward movement of the controllever 2 has now initiated theoper- 'ation Vof the automatic wind mechanism as'will vnow be described.

Operation of the wind mechanism in dumping load i Figure 4 illustrates, as previously described,

`the locking pawl I3 engaged with' vthe ratchet kobvious manner. The toggle lever Il'is fastened to an adjacent main bracket at the pivotpoint 25, and the'combination linkage, incident to the do Iii) lili

vides a toggle means-,iutilizingvthe stop vbolt 31 which rests on one ofthe flanges of` thefdrum 4 -to ylimit the downward' movement ofthe Atoggle assembly parts, the Ymember I3, of course, preventing the drum from `rotating clockwise, ,and

.thus-preventing unwinding of the-cable-means 3 therefrom.y In Figurei'lis illustrated the position of the locking pawl andthe toggle lever supporting same 'when the -load has'been Adumped b y releasing the doors andunwindin'g'@ action of the drum '4 as pawl'I3 has been raised from vengagement-with the pawl |4. This action is' performed by-direct pull-of' the chain I6 on forward movement-of Ithe lever 2, 'aslpreviously described.

The spring 21 returnsnthe pawl |31- to itsiproper working position before the leverA |1 is lowered from the-positionvof-Figure 5 to its position of Figure 4, where-the stop bolt 31 labuts with-the ange of the drum-.f- WhenY the trip'iever 3|' is moved back to its position as shown-in Figure 2, the-'neutral position of the parts 2 andY 3|', the toggle lever |1, see Figures 4 and 5,' will -have been returned to the posi-tion shown in yFigure 4, permitting the locking pawl i3 to re-engage lthe ratchet |4. The dog will'escape freely over the ratchet teeth-I4 in-the subsequentwinding operation of the drum 4 that raises the cable means 3 and lifts the doors again to their closed position.

-ln Figure 1 the rocker arm 2| is shown in its operating positionwith its roller 24 adapted to engage the cam 2G on the wheel D. Under certain conditions the rocker shaft 22 is heldin a position in which the arm 2| is upraised sufciently that the cam 20 performs no function -in reference thereto. YSaid lastmentioned position is that in which the doors are closed and the wagon or vehicle A is ready for.loading.- Starting operation for the 'wind mechanism- This Voperation isv initiated when the ylever 2 has been moved rearwardly to its-intermediate or full line position of 'Figure' 3, as-above described. Itv will be recalled that the said action of the lever 2 exerts a pull upon the trip, lever 3| and-this trip lever 3|, through the chain or cable I8, rocks the starting lever IS from the position shown lin Figure 22 in dotted lines, to the position shown in Figure 9.V

Figure l1 is nowreferred to before describing the manner in which the winding operation for the cable means k3 is effected. It will be recalled that the rocker shaft 422 has the roller arm 2| adapted to engage the cam 20 so that the cam in cooperation with a spring 49, described later on, will impart to the shaft 22 partialrotary movements in opposite directions to raise and lower the arm 23. The arm 23 of the shaft 22 is attached by means vof the resilient connector, previously mentioned, and generally designated G inv Figure 1,1, to the working pawl actuating lever 38 which is mounted coaxial with the drum shaft 33 and freely rotatable thereon. The work- :alcance `42v which is adjustably connected with a clevis .link 43 pivotallyconnected in turn at 44 to an .oifstanding arm 45 carried by the lever 38. Ad-

jacent the hub portion of the lever 38 a collar portion 59 freelyrotatable on shaft 33', is provided and equipped with the pivot lug 46 adapted to swing or move in an arc such that the pivot 41 which connects the lug 46 to a curved link 48 "and 11, is a coil spring 5|, the lower end of which bearsV against a stop disc 52 at the lower end of the reach rod, the upper end portion of the spring 5| engaging the underside of the top crossbar of theyoke 40.

The spring 5|, when compressed, under operating conditions that will be more fully explained later on, permits elongation of the connector G, and, when expanded, contracts or shortens the connector G.

An adjustable nut or abutment member 42a limits the contraction of the connector G as necessary to obtain certain operations of parts cooperating with the connector G. When the mechanism is in a neutral or inoperative position, as illustrated in Figure 22, `the spring 5| is not compressed. The only compression of the spring 5| at such .time is the initial load compression, which is set up bythe adjusting nut 42a on rod 42.

Figure 22 shows the parts illustrated in Figure 11 in inoperative position which they will assume after the completion of the winding operation when the doors are in closed position.

As will be seen from Figures 22, 13, 14, and 14A a latch 53 is provided pivoted atV 54 to an equalizing lever 55 'and heldin engagement with an abutment bolt 56 carried by the upper end of the yoke member 4I! of the connector G by means of a spring 53h when the parts are in a position as shown in FigurellA. It will therefore be seen that when the device is in nonoperative or neutral position, as illustrated in Figure 22, the parts 48, 41, 46, 38, 45, 53, 43, 42, 5|, 4|), 23, 22, 2|, and 24 are held in such position in contact with a stop 23a by the action of the spring 49 and it must be noted that the pivot 41 which lestablishes connection between the parts 48 and 46 is at this time at the left side of the line :c so that the pull exerted-upon the parts enumerated above reacts upon the same to hold these parts in a position as shown in Figure 22 with the roller 24 out of engagement of cam 20.

In .describing the operation of the actuating devices for causing winding movement of. the

drum 4, it will be understood that the parts of the connector G are in the condition of Figure 22-whi1e the lever 2 assembly is in the condition shown in Figure 2. Under these conditions the winding mechanism is inoperative because the roller 24 is held out of Contact with cam 2G' in `View of the action of spring 49 explained hereinbefore.

Now it will be assumed that the lever 2 has been moved from the position of Figure 2A back to its full line. position of Figure 3, thereby tripping the .lever 3| to pull on the-chain i8, vsaid The action of lepels@ i f pull oscillating the starting lever |91 shown in Figureto cause the abutment lug |991. of said lever to strike the coacting abutment lu'glo--o the latch-out dog 53. `vThe rightward shifting of the starting leverflS under the pull lof `the chainr i8 rocks the dog 53 to the position oflffigure 9 by the cooperationofthe 'abutment lugs Iga and 53a.` `The movement @of-'thestarting lever IS causes also movementof lever 38` and l tion shown in this gure, until r`oller24 contacts p cam'Zll. The Wind mechanism is now conditioned for operation, and the tension of springd "pulling connector G yupwardly maintains the"`roller 2li in contact with the cam as long as thetvind mechanism is in operation. t l l 25 `Win11 the. `parte in this position; the winding mechanism is started into operation upon rotation of cam 2li. The lever 2 which has been' operated to cause such conditioning Vof the parts re-v ferred to abovecontinues in vits rearward move'- ment to restore the tripping mechanismto its original or neutral position as shown in Figlireh2; to thereby release lever 3l l l U l l l The rotation of camv Zll causesoscillating movement oi' the roller 24, connector G, leverfii,` and associated parts against the tension of' the spring 49, thereby oscillating the Working or feeding pawl l5 to shift the latter back and forth.

' The pawl l5, asthe leverl 38` is carriedto the right, engages a fresh tooth ofthe ratchet Wheel ill` and turns the drum 4 in a counterclockwise` direction to Wind up the cable means 3 and cause the doors l of the Vehicle Ato close. Ouf course, during the operation of the-Working paWlfI5 to turn the'drum l for Windinginfthe cable means l 3; the locking pawl I3 riding'on the teeth lof the ratchet Wheel I4 maintains engagemntwith s'aid teeth so asy to prevent a backward for clockwise movement of the drum that Wouldfpermittthe cable means to unwind Whenthe pavvl i5 is being shifted to the rightplas shownin Figurell, to re-engage a fresh toothjoftthe ratchet Wheel le in the Winding operation of the drum: The above operation ofthe reciprocating connector G and actuating andA ratchetparts associated therewith Will continue untilhthedoors; are closed or stopped in their closing movement; by some obstruction such asa stcnega piece of Wood, or the like becoming lodged between the adjacentedges of. thedoors.

`'lhe latch or` dog 53 is connected, to` theY 38 bymeans of the equalizing leverl lr'sEMWl/lich-is` pivotedat 55a to the lever. ""Ihe equalizing lever is omitted fromthe illustrations Figures 8 and 9 `for' purposes of clearness, but is fully sho-Wn in FigureslS, 20, 14A-and 14B.v p

Itis to be noted that the movement of 'collar l 59 which is freely rotatable on shaft 39,is limited by the stops or abutments 38o and i9`o, and will be described more fully lateron. 1

y Mechanism for automatically stopping operation of the cable windidmefnsf involving thel -automatic; stopping lof the winding mechanisinl when the doors `I ,reachtheirf closed positions ,ori are! prevented? from moving fully tween, asQabove `referred to.

to closed positions by an obstacle lodgedv therebelower portion of "the equalizing lever 55 j that is pivotediatja on the arm' ofthe pawl sup-` porting leverili p l'Ihe springv 5l isadjustedgto a,

definite "predetermined pressure so as; not to be deflected underhthe normal pullfapplied to the connectorj incident to the closingjof the doors and `.the ope-ration of the Winding drum 4 `by the ratchetnllechanism {4f-I 5 under the actuation of @bei C9m l29,f1dl p ever, A at the end fof] thel Winding operation when thejgpdoprsare lo` ynd the cables are tight, the cailleorlmfi(l ratchet Cannotcrltelle theirv rotation in 'af counter-clockwise direction, 'and t e; hxtpower Stroke 0f leale/er" erm :23 underfthi-:3actioil""`of Vcam Zllwill therefore cause Flgorelol nl othelyywords; the yoke` 4u will move downward Whilethe cleyis link l` and reach .Qciated rocker, parts- How: f

rodtlz'remalri'statlonarn frllelaten senow falls into place,` as shown in Figure? `14'A`zinfvievv "of theactionof.'splfirtgl Sillland engages the abrite` ment 56 of; heyole dlljg'lhefheavy compression 'of th' spring is resisten Ley *thepawl l5 al; the

upper. endof thekc'niiector Garidthe cam 20' at thel'ovve'r end thereof. @The nexthuplvard move-t' cam 2B, aboveQreferredtdtpermits expansion jot the spring 5l, and as a', result thereof theyokelll l will move,11.pvvartlly, butkthe reachlrod 42,c1evs thefelluelizet l e pressure asshown FeureleB. Thermal/ement rea/chl rodg42 isV engaged by the i fof of theequalizer leve1i55` lis transferredgto the collai-5a which; carries the lug` y4t,1connected tothev Y so l link 4s as, previously mantienell.. `,salerequalizer end of which "is :fintereengaged `with*r the; collar: 59 by ai notch'f` 6 2.` Thus .infthe I `rotary.' movement lofy the armf and Crooks-the `lower bell crank arm 6| to turn the collar59 ina-countr-clockwise directrieben {trank/'spel lilas instable", selevvs'lsub;n 'one' for; each lug; ffrlleflnnr ends of thescrwsjtnb"engagefalaffepringlati y on, tneworklnjg pawl l5, said springoffstni@ling` and srewsl tuby places the ig'f spring-#15a under tensinlllovveverith' pawljiS-loonneettll-there:

lit

. the. equalizer "leverif'itsipin'. or stud l55b "strikes 'eindige with` is still held in engagement with the ratchet wheel I under the heavy lforce of the spring I The above operation takes place before the yoke 49 engages the'abutment or adjustment nut 5 42. With the leaf spring |501. under compression and the pivot point 41 partially shifted toward the line x, the yoke, upon further upward Amovement under vthe action of spring 5|, shifts the whole mechanism,55,38, 60, 6I, and I5 a certain 10 distance toward the right yaround shaft 39. The

ratchet -wheel IIIturns slightly in a clockwise div rection with the parts enumeratedv above, until i one of its teeth, next to the pawl I3, engages the same, whereupon the ratchet wheel I4 and drum 4 are locked against further unwinding rotation under the gravitative pull of the doors now in closed position. The pressure on pawl I5 is now released and leaf spring I5a which is underl tension raises pawll I5 out of operative engagement with the ratchet wheel I d, thereby incapacitating thisk working or cable winding pawl until the winding mechanism is subsequently thrown into action againby the rearward movement of the lever 2. Obviously, the pawl I5 must bedisengaged ,fromy the wheel I4 when the doors' I are closed, so'as to place the ratchet wheel under the control of the locking pawl I 3 tol permit the latter, when upraised, to release the ratchet wheel I4 and drum 4D for the unwinding action lof the cable means 3 and opening of the doors.

Figures 15 and 14A show the position of the collar 59 before the' above describedoperation, and Figure 14B -shows the new position assumed -by the collar after it has been actuated through the medium of the equalizer lever 55.

-The neXt working'stroke causes the lever 38, with pawl I5 disengaged from the ratchet wheel I4, to move with the collar 59 in a counter-clocke wise rotation `to a point where the pivot connec- 40 tion `VI is shifted to the left past'the line x,

thereby causing the spring 49 to exert its'pull on the entire mechanismlon the opposite or'left side ofthe line By reason of the connection of the main wind assemblylevers and the rockershaft 22 by the reach rod, this reversing of the action ofthe spring pull ofthe spring`l|9 lifts therocker arm 2| andits roller free from the cam 29, until. arm 23 abuts against the stopza as shown in Figure 2,2. In other words, the 'parti 2|- is lifted 50 sufficiently Yhigh that the cam-29 no"longer actuates the same and the rocker shaft 22' and associated parts, .during the rotation ofthe wheel D and said cam 20. In the last mentioned a-d justment of the various parts, it will be apparent that the operating means intermediate the cam 20 and the pawl carrying lever 38, for effecting the winding up ofthecable means 3, is latched out of operation and becomes therefore inactive v by the automatic action lof the partsas just de--V scribed, and this latching out operation will take. place as soon as the doors are closed,nand spring 5| is under a certain predetermined-tension, or as soon as the d oors are prevented from closing o'r close; only partially, if an obstacle happens to ybe caught between them and the spring 5| is again placed under the certain tension and in the above manner the operation -of the cable winding mechanism is vcaused to cease by the automatic instrumentallities referred to. e As'stated above the pawl I5 is raised out of cooperation with the ratchet wheel Ill upon actuation ofthe equalizing lever 55 and is maintained in such position until the parts are returned to the postionrffshownin Figure. llmponrconditioning of the parts for winding operation.

' l General operation summarized Assuming the parts of the invention to be in the positions of Figure l, a complete cycle of operation of thevarious devices maybe summarized as fol- 5 lowsz,

'Ihe doors I are closed and the body A contains a load-of material to be carried off and dumped. When the dumping point is reached the operator pulls forwardly on the lever 2, disengages the ratchet locking dog I3, and the cable on the drum il unwinds under thedownward pull of the doors and load supported thereby, transmitted to the drum through the cable means 3. The forward movement of the lever effects actuation of the pawl I3 through the chain, cable, or flexible connection I5. The load being free or delivered from the vehicle A, the operator pushes the lever 2 rearwardly to cause interlocking of said lever with the trip lever 3| to exert a forward pull on the chain, cable, or flexible connection I8 which leads to theV starting lever I9. The starting lever I9 disengages the Ydog or latch 53 and rotates the lever 3f, thus shifting pivot el to the right and causing operation of the spring 49 to shift the actuating or rocker varm 2| andA its roller downwardly into the path of the'wheel cam 29.

The wheel cam 2 is now rendered operative in relation to the cable winding drum and means 4for actuating the latter in its winding movement. j lThe up and down movement of the arm j2| is communicated through the reciprocatory connector G to the working pawl carrying lever 38 and said lever 33 actuates the ratchet wheel I4 for the drum winding movement, the drum being held locked against clockwise movement by the locking pawl I3. When the doors are closed or meet with a resistance to further movement corresponding to their closing adjustment, the connector G is operated. in the manner previously described, so as to permit the dog or latch 53 to again engage the abutment member 56 andthe collar 59, link 98, and spring 39 are caused'to be operated as described, so as to cause the winding mechanism to be put out of action and so maintained by cooperation of the latch- 45 ing-out dogor latch 53 aforesaid.

rProvisions may be made for manual operation of vthe winding mechanism to permit closing of the door when the vehicle is not in motion. Such manual means may preferably comprise a hand 50 lever `|99 detachably connected to lever' 2| as shown in yFigure 23, and obviously up and down movement of said hand lever I5@ will permit operation of the winding mechanism in the same manner vas described in reference to cam 29. 55 When manual operation is desired cam 29 should be placed in such a position in regard to roller 24 by turning wheel D as to permit such operation.

It may also be stated that when spring' t9 yacts 60 on the right side of line a' upon `pivot and abutment pin M, its tension is transmitted to lever 38.0ver abutment 39cby contact of said pin @il with the latter, while the action of spring 9 with pin 4! at the left side of the line causes 65 engagement between pin il with abutment 39e thus forcing the parts of the mechanism to perform a counter-clockwise movement around shaft 39. This action of spring @9 and abutment pin 4'I vhas been clearly brought out in Figures 9 and 70 22,` However, when the collar 59 is moved by bell crank 69 dueto expansion of spring 6I, in i1 is moved away from'its contact with abutment 38a, and does not contact abutment 38e until pivot pin 41 has been moved to the left of the 'I5l i line x `of the mechanism during door closing operation. A Having thus described our invention, what We claim as new and desire to4 secure by Letters Patent of the United States,'is-

1. In combination, a vehicle comprising a l dumping door and means for eiTecting opening kit and closing operations of said dumping door, including release mechanism `for eiecting ythe opening of the door, closing mechanism for cansing the door to be restored to itsI closed position, and a manually operable controller operable to effect release action of said release mechanism and means for connecting the controller with the door closing mechanism rendered operative incident to door releasing operation of said controller forinitiatingaction of the door closing mechanism upon subsequent movement of the controller, said connecting means including a member positively and non-yieldably engageable with the controller on movement of the latter in one direction and permitting movement of the controller in another direction Without such positive engagement.

2. In combination, a vehicle comprising a dumping door and means for effecting opening and closing operations of said dumping door, in-

cluding release mechanism for eiecting the opennism for governing the operation of the same,

and including connecting instrumentalities yieldably engageable With the contro-ller during release action of the doors by movement of the controller in one direction and positively engageable with the controller to eifect closing action of the doors by movement of said controller in an opposite direction.

3. In a dumping vehicle including `aidoor, in combination, door closing mechanism, door releasing mechanism, driving means for the door closing mechanism, said door closing mechanism comprising a Winding device and a cable connecting said device With the door, and also including an expansible and contractible connector adjustable in one Way to discontinue the driving action of the driving mechanism on the door.

' the control `lever and said dog operable by movement of the lever in another direction to trip Ithe dog and disengage it from the adjustable connector as described.

4. In combination, a vehicle comprising a dumping door and means to hold it in closed position, mechanism for effecting closing of the door, and control means for releasing the door holding means and initiating the operation of the door closing mechanism comprising a pair of relatively movable members, one of which is connected to the door holding means and the other of Which is connected. to the door closing mechanism, one of saidmembers being movable into position for releasingv the door and having means positivelyvengageable in one direction only with the other member to condition it tomove the other member for subsequent door closing operation. i

5. In combination, a vehicle comprising a dumping door and means to hold it in closed position, mechanism for effecting closing of the door, control means for'rel'easing the door holding means and for initiating the operation ofthe door closing mechanism comprising a pair of relatively movable members, one of which is connected to the door holding` means and the other of which is connected to the door closing mechanism, one of said members including manually actuatable means shiftable in` one direction to operate one of the door holding and door closing.

means aforesaid and having means positively shifted position.

6. In combination, a vehicle comprising a dumping door and means to hold it in closed position, mechanism for effecting closing of the door, control means for releasing the door hold- V ing means and initiating the operation of `the door closing mechanism comprising a `pair of relatively movable levers, one of which is connected to the door holding means and the other of which is connected to the door closing mechanism, one of said levers having a pawl pivotally mounted thereon and operatively engageable with the `other lever upon movement of the` firstmentioned lever in one direction only, said `second-mentioned lever being shiftable by said pawl upon reverse` movement of the nist-mentioned lever, 'and means for pivotally shifting said paWl to release it from engagement with the other lever aforesaid as the rst-mentioned lever ap.`

proaches the end of its reverse movement.

7. In combination, a .vehicle comprising a dumping door and means to hold it in closed position, mechanism for effecting closing of the door, control means for releasing the door holding means and initiatingthe operation of the door closing mechanism comprising a pair of relatively movable levers pivoted on a common axis, one of which is connectedto the door holding means and the other of which is connected to the mechanism for effecting closing of the door, and one of said levers having manually operable means for shifting it in one direction to effect door releasing operation and having means to establish connection with thelother of said levers to actuatef the same to initiate door closing operationrupon `reverse of the movement of the y manual means. 

